Michael Nanchoff

PROFILE
An attack-minded Generation adidas midfielder that helped the University of Akron to the 2010 NCAA College Cup title, Michael Nanchoff joined Whitecaps FC after being selected eighth overall in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft in Baltimore, Maryland. A native of North Royalton, Ohio, Nanchoff was one of five Akron players to be selected among the first eight picks by MLS clubs in the 2011 SuperDraft.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER
2011: After a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a groin injury, Nanchoff made five appearances during his first season in MLS with Whitecaps FC. The midfielder made his league debut when he replaced centre back Mouloud Akloul late in the second half of Whitecaps FC's 2-0 away defeat to Real Salt Lake on June 4. He then made his first MLS start during Whitecaps FC's 2-1 away defeat to Colorado Rapids on July 9.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RESERVE LEAGUE2012: Nanchoff assisted on Darren Mattocks’ first MLS Reserve League goal, as Whitecaps FC reserves won 2-1 at Portland Timbers reserves on May 27. He then assisted on Carlyle Mitchell’s first of two goals in a 2-1 victory at Seattle Sounders FC reserves on June 1. 2011: Nanchoff started all but three of Whitecaps FC reserves’ 10 matches that season. The midfielder made his MLS Reserve League debut during Whitecaps FC reserves' 2-0 defeat at Seattle Sounders FC reserves on June 7. He then assisted on the consolation goal by fellow 2011 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick Omar Salgado, as Whitecaps FC reserves suffered a 2-1 away defeat to LA Galaxy reserves on June 20. Nanchoff then scored the first goal in a 2-1 home win over Seattle Sounders FC reserves on Aug. 9. The result at Swangard Stadium was Vancouver's first-ever win in the MLS Reserve League. He then assisted on Salgado's winning goal during a 1-0 home win over San Jose Earthquakes reserves on Sept. 6.

UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES PREMIER DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE2011: After missing the entire MLS preseason with a groin injury, Nanchoff made four appearances in his fifth PDL season as a member of Whitecaps FC Residency. In fact, the midfielder made his competitive debut in a ‘Caps uniform on May 13, as the Residency team defeated British Columbia rivals Abbotsford Mariners 2-1 at Empire Field. He then scored his first PDL goal for the Residency team during a 2-2 draw at British Columbia rivals Victoria Highlanders FC on May 21. Nanchoff then assisted on Ben Fisk's winning goal, as the Residency team won 1-0 at Abbotsford Mariners on May 29. 2009: Nanchoff recorded four assists with Cleveland Internationals, with the midfielder assisting on former University of Akron teammate and Portland Timbers' SuperDraft pick Darlington Nagbe's two goals in a 3-2 home defeat to Indiana Invaders on July 12. 2008: Nanchoff made the PDL's All-Central Conference Team after a fine third season with Cleveland. Amassing a total of 17 points, Nanchoff's six goals and five assists included a goal and two assists in a 5-1 home win over Ohio rivals Cincinnati Kings on June 27. After finishing second in the Great Lakes Division, the Internationals reached the Central Conference playoff semifinals before losing 2-0 to eventual PDL champions Thunder Bay Chill on July 26. 2007: The midfielder made seven appearances in his second PDL season with Cleveland. He recorded assists in a 2-1 home defeat to Chicago Fire Premier on June 1 and in a 2-1 victory at home to Michigan Bucks on July 7. 2006: The midfielder played the first of four PDL seasons for his father, George Nanchoff, and Cleveland. Though he made just six appearances that season, Nanchoff scored Cleveland's lone goal in a 5-1 defeat at St. Louis Lions on July 9 before recording an assist in a 1-1 home draw versus Fort Wayne Fever on July 12.

COLLEGE
Nanchoff enjoyed a fine NCAA Division I career at the University of Akron, where he played three years for the Zips. 2010: In his final season with the Zips, Nanchoff led Akron to the NCAA College Cup title - the first Division I national championship to be won in any sport by a University of Akron varsity team. As a Redshirt Junior, the midfielder made the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-Great Lakes Region Second Team, the All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) First Team, and the NCAA College Cup All-Tournament Team after appearing in all 25 matches for the Zips that season. This included a career-high 10 goals for Akron, including three match winners versus Penn State University (Oct. 13), State University of New York at Buffalo (Oct. 16), and Hartwick College (Nov. 6). More significantly, Nanchoff assisted on Akron's match-winning goal in the NCAA College Cup semifinal win over University of Michigan on Dec. 10. 2009: Nanchoff made the All-MAC First Team after amassing five goals and 11 assists with the Zips. As a Redshirt Sophomore, the midfielder was named Soccer America National Player of the Week on Sept. 26 after tying an Akron record with four assists in one match, as the Zips claimed a 6-0 home win over Bowling Green State University. He also made the College Soccer News National Team of the Week on Oct. 5, and scored match-winning goals versus Indiana University (Sept. 18) and Northern Illinois University (Nov. 13). Unfortunately for Nanchoff, a leg injury in a 2-0 win over University of South Florida in the second round of the NCAA championship tournament on Nov. 22 forced the midfielder to miss Akron's last four matches of the season, with the Zips reaching the NCAA College Cup final before losing on penalties to University of Virginia in Cary, North Carolina, on Dec. 13. 2008: Redshirted his sophomore year. 2007: As a freshman, the midfielder made 17 appearances for Akron, with Nanchoff recording assists in a 1-0 victory over the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Sept. 2 and a 4-0 win over St. Francis University on Sept. 16. His first career goal for the Zips came in the first round of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament, as Akron edged Northern Illinois University in overtime on Nov. 16. The Zips won the MAC championship title that season before falling in the second round of the NCAA championship tournament to the University of South Florida on Nov. 28.

HIGH SCHOOL/AMATEUR
As a student at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Nanchoff earned an NSCAA All-America honour and was named Cleveland Plain Dealer Player of the Year as a member of the Warriors. As a senior in 2006, the midfielder made the All-Ohio First Team after leading Walsh Jesuit to the Ohio Division II state championship title with a record of 21 wins and two defeats. In the state final victory over Kettering, Ohio's Archbishop Alter High School, Nanchoff assisted on the match-winning goal before scoring the second goal in a 2-0 win. During his youth soccer career, the midfielder claimed five Ohio state championship titles with Cleveland Internationals.

PERSONAL
Nanchoff was born and raised in the Cuyahoga County city of North Royalton, which is based just south of Cleveland, Ohio. As a student at the University of Akron, the midfielder has been majoring in sport and exercise science. His parents are Marian and George Nanchoff, while he has a brother named Georgie and a sister named Nicole.

INTERESTING FACTS
The product of a soccer family, Nanchoff's father (George) and uncle (Louie) were four-year letter winners and two-time All-Americans at the University of Akron in the 1970's before the pair became professionals in the old North American Soccer League and the now-defunct Major Indoor Soccer League. Though born in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, George and Louie each made 10 international appearances and scored a goal for the United States. In 1980, the pair were due to appear for the USA at the Moscow Olympics before the Americans boycotted the games after the Soviet Union invaded Afganistan. These days, George and Louie are co-owners and directors of coaching at Cleveland Internationals Soccer Club. The midfielder's brother Georgie also played college soccer at the University of Dayton, while his sister Nicole plays collegiately for Duquesne University.